Chapter 87: Emma Rosset (3)
Almost an entire week had passed since Lior had arrived at the Rosset’s duchy. He would spend his mornings learning more about the Tarragonaian’s culture and language, while also viewing every trade agreement between the Tarragona Empire and the Velron Kingdom, whether they passed or not. He was hoping to find a way to mend the current between the two nations in case the arranged marriage between him and Lady Rosset fell through. In the evenings, he would go on a ride, taking the horse farther and farther from the manor as he tried to learn more about his surroundings.
Breakfasts were spent by himself in his room with Edgar joining him, while dinners were spent with the Rossets. Dinner was always a quiet ordeal, and he was never able to talk to Lady Rosset. She would quietly eat her dinner with a grumpy expression hidden behind her veil, then quickly leave the room once she was done.
Was it supposed to be that hard to talk to one’s fiancée? Lior understood that it was an arranged marriage that Lady Rosset did not want, but shouldn’t they at least try to get along? Wouldn’t it make things smoother? And if they were to get along, they could work together to find a better solution. But was Lior the only one who saw it that way? Should he contact one of his brothers for advice?
Lior sighed heavily as he guided the horse down the path. Then, as if he wanted to run away from everything, he urged the horse into a faster gallop. The wind blue through his hair, tearing it from the tie that held it up. The forest around him grew dense, blotting out the sun. They continued at that fast pace. Lior closed his eyes and leaned back slightly, letting the wind guide over him. The horse underneath him neighed and snorted, happy that it could finally run.
The trail they were on wound around trees, crossed a creek, and even started sloping upwards. This was by far the longest trail he had been on since arriving at the duchal estate.
The wind brought the scent of the leaves from the trees, dirt, and flowers. It was refreshing. Invigorating him on both a physical and mental level.
The path evened out, no longer going at an incline. The trees thinned out, no longer as dense as before. The sun, which had been blotted out, broke through the treetops, along with it came a cool breeze.
The path opened up to a small yet decently sized pasture. Soft looking grass spread out across the open area, and one large tree stood towering alone in the center.
Lior dismounted from the horse and guided it to the center. After tying the horse to the tree, he plopped down onto the ground, uncaring about getting his clothes dirty. The rustling of the leaves faded into the background like a gentle song, lulling him to sleep.
"Huh? So princes can sit on dirt instead of fancy cushions."
The bell-like voice filled with sarcasm stirred Lior awake. His eyes fluttered open to find a shadow falling over him. The shadow belonged to a beautiful woman with sun-kissed dark skin, long silky soft black hair that fell in gentle waves. Her large brown eyes were framed with long lashes and her soft lips were lifted up in a sarcastic smirk.
Lior felt his heart leap to his throat. The face that was staring down at him was free without a mask, mirth visible in every line, and daringly beautiful in a way that screamed of a wild freedom.
"Well?" The woman asked when Lior did not say anything, arching one amused eyebrow. She leaned further down, her hair falling forward with the action.
"Lady Rosset," Lior said in greeting once he was able to find his voice. It had been hard to find his voice. He had seen Lady Rosset at least once every single day, but always with the veil. The only time he had seen her without the veil had been from through a window on the second floor.
He was starting to understand what his sister-in-law had found so fascinating about this particular piece of Tarragonian culture.
She leaned away from him, standing up to her full height. "I was planning on avoiding you longer, but you happen to be resting in my favorite spot."
Lior looked around and just now realized that there were signs floating around this place, obvious signs that someone frequently visited this place. The grass was visibly flattened around the tree, footholds were placed along evenly up the tree that lead up to a large and spacious branch, a basket poking out from underneath a thick bush along the edge of the clearing.
"Oh," Lior said a bit blankly as he stood up. He dusted off the dirt and grass clinging to his clothes. "I’m sorry for intruding in on your spot," and as soon as those words left his mouth, he realized that they had been speaking in his language for the entire exchange. He looked up at her with wide eyes.
"What? Did you just now realize that you’re not the only one who can learn things from a book?" She asked him sarcastically, hands planted on her hips. "Not that it matters to you, but I can fluently speak four languages."
The way she spoke and that smirk that curled the corners of her lips told Lior that she had learned these languages on her own instead of through a tutor. And then Lior remembered it. The Tarragona Empire believed that women were inferior to men, that they were unable to learn the kinds of topics that men could, and that they were not allowed to rule even when they were the only legitimate heir.
Lior’s gaze softened as he remembered that small, horrible tidbit. "If that is why you are avoiding me, then don’t. If you want to rule over this dukedum, then I’ll help you."
Lady Rosset’s face twisted in fury. "I don’t need your help!"
"Everyone needs help, even if they haven’t realized it yet or even if they don’t want it." Lior had seen that silent truth through his parents and his siblings. He had also seen how every single one of them would admit when they needed help, especially his parents. The three of them would always rely on each other.
"You’re looking down on me for being a woman as well," she growled.
"Absolutely not!" Lior shouted immediately, his face going pale. "My mother, the Queen Regent, has started several businesses in her own name, helps my father run the kingdom, and a whole assortment of other things! And if anyone of her sons ever thought less of a person because of their gender, then she would beat them til near death!" And Lior believed. He had never seen it happen before, but he knew his mother’s character, and knew that she would physically beat anyone, no matter who they were, if they ever thought in a way that would completely demean another person.
Lady Rosset’s fury dimmed as she watched Lior in his panic, and somehow believed that he was telling the truth. She hmphed before turning away from him. Deciding that maybe he deserved more than what she had been giving him.